Oil filter cleaner



S. M. BUTLER OIL FILTER CLEANER Dec. 3, 1968 4 Shets-Sheet 1 Filed April 10, 1967 INVENTOR. By M. 5, M

Arron/Ev Dec. 3, 1968 s. M. BUTLER 3,413,988

OIL FILTER CLEANER Filed April 10, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 TEDMA /v M. BUTLER v INVENTOR.

- A TTQAPNEY Dec. 3, 1968 s. M. BUTLER OIL FILTER CLEANER 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 'Filed April 10, 1967 STEDMAN M BUTLER INVENTOR. B'Ywu, M

A TTORNE Y Dec. 3, 1968 s. M. BUTLER OIL FILTER CLEANER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 10,

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H wn n. I lw lx ll! x @14 v z; k s n w a Q l I 2 4- l I I I 5r0MA- M BUTLER INVENTOR BY M A TTORNE Y United States Patent 3,413,988 OIL FILTER CLEANER Stedman M. Butler, Box 459, Rock Island, Ill. 61201 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 462,577, June 9, 1965. This application Apr. 10, 1967, Ser. No. 629,455

Claims. (Cl. 134-102) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The apparatus is adapted to clean filters, as annular type automobile oil filters, and achieves simplification by passing pressurized cleaning liquid through a simple venturi orifice and upwardly through a perforated diffuser and outwardly through the filter to be cleaned. The filter is mounted on the flange of a sleeve selectively setscrew positionable upon the diffuser, while a nut is threaded downwardly upon the diffuser upper end to restrain the filter between nut and flange. Only a simple cover is needed to be disposed manually over filter to seat on a lower member through which the soiled fiuid is discharged.

The invention sets out to accomplish cleaning of filters of various heights, types, designs, and sizes, both large and small sizes, with this application being a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 462,577, filed June 9, 1965, for Oil Filter Cleaner, and the disclosure herein also being submitted as a patentable simplification of this applicants Patent No. 2,919,704 for Filter Cleaner, issued Jan. 5, 1960.

As the co-pending application sets forth, it is a particw lar object of this invention to provide a filter cleaner and method by which a filter may be easily, firmly and adjustably positioned, cleansed, and dried by the ejection of cleansing fluid at substantial velocity to pass through the filter on its way to an escape drain.

It is another object of this invention to provide a filter cleaner of this class in which the cleansing fluid is under compressed air pressure and in which the fluid is drawn from the liquid chamber by the force of jetted compressed air through a venturi into a pipe connecting into a coupling into which diffuser of various sizes are threadably adjustable to upstand in filter cores of various heights.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a filter cleaner of this class which is inexpensive of construction, easily operated and readily drained.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a filter cleaner of this class in which the filter is easily and yieldably positioned over the diffuser and easily removed therefrom.

It is also another and most important object of this invention to provide a filter cleaner of this class in which a filter to be cleaned is first connectable onto an adapter diffuser in such a manner that a spider, disposed between the filter and adapter diffuser, is freely and easily relatively slidable as connection is made.

It is also a further and most important object of this invention to provide a filter cleaner of this class in which a compressible or deformable sealing spacer is disposed between the filter base and diffuser in manner that it closes the space therebetween to channelize cleaning fluid through the filter and properly to space the filter in elevation to uncover fluid outlet means therefrom.

It is also an additional object of this invention to make an outlet in the filter case for the soiled cleaning fluid to escape, and to provide a removable closure for the outlet.

Also, as added by this application, it is an important and primary object of this invention to provide an oil filter cleaner of this class which employs a venturi orifice type nozzle in place of a suction or jet venturi type of ice nozzle, and which simplifies structure and eliminates parts by adjustably positioning the filter to be cleaned with relation to the diffuser.

Additionally, as a further important object, this invention provides an oil filter cleaner of this class which restrains the filter to be cleaned between a flange on a sleeve that is setscrew connectable to the lower part of the diffuser, while a nut is downwardly threadable onto the top of the diffuser to press restraint against. the top of the filter.

It is another and most practical object of the invention to provide an oil filter cleaner of this class which is easily and positively operable and requires a minimum number of parts and also a minimum number of relatively movable, or interfitted parts.

Other and further objects will be apparent when the specification hereinbelow is considered in connection with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view, part in section, and partially diagrammatic, showing a form of the invention in which a filter is clamped into position for cleaning;

FIG. 2 is a sectional elevational view showing a form of the invention in which a filter is threadably connected to, or equivalently clamped over an adapter diffuser in proper position for cleaning;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view of a form of outlet or alternative outlet, with removable closure, which may be provided in a filter case;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the outlet and closure shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view, part in section, of apparatus included in another modification of the invention;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the cleaning compartment shown to smaller scale in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional plan view, taken along line 77 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional plan view, taken along line 88 of FIG. 6.

Referring now in detail to the drawings in which like reference numerals are applied to like elements in the various views, a filter cleaner 10 is shown in FIG. 1 as including a cleaning compartment 11 which has a coupling 12 rigidly connected centrally into the bottom 61 thereof. From the lower end of the coupling 12 a pipe 15 extends downwardly, as will be hereinbelow described. Such coupling 12 has the lower, externally threaded end of a perforated diffuser 14 threadably engaged into the internally threaded upper end thereof. Diffusers 14 of various heights may be employed in accordance with the various heights of filters to be cleaned.

The filter shown in the drawings, as the filter 17 shown in FIG. 1, does not constitute any structural part of the invention, but rather comprises the work or object which the invention is designed to service. As shown in FIG. 1, the filter 17 includes a filter cage or case 50 which is clamped in position in the cleaning compartment 11 of the invention, the same 50 including a bottom plate 54, and a domed top 19 with a small nut 18 affixed centrally on the top thereof.

A clamping assembly 20 includes a reducer 24 as the lowermost element thereof, including a bearing plate 25 as its base, to bear upon the upper surface of the nut 18 on the top of the filter 17. Also the clamping assembly 20 includes a threaded rod 21 having a spherical segment at its lower end 23 to bear upon the upper surface of the bearing plate 25, the rod 21 being threadable through a cover 22 which is pivotally connected. by hinge 29 to the upper, outer surface of the cleaning compartment 11. Oppositely of the hinge 29, a latch 30 .is connected to the cover 22, with a latch member mounted thereon, normally to pivot downwardly due to the action of a conventional torsion spring, not shown. As an operator grasps and turns the handle 21a at the top of the rod 21, and in direction to move the rod 21 downwardly, the segment at the lower end of the rod 21 bears downwardly on the plate 25, and with the filter cage 50 yieldably supported, as will be hereinbelow described, the filter 17 is clamped into position.

The filter 17 includes, concentric within the cage or case 50, an annular filter member 13, comprising an outer, perforate wall 28 and an inner cylinder 26, having the upper portion perforated substantially over the same vertical distance as the wall 28, and including a lower, unperforated portion 73 extending therebelow. The filter member 17 also includes a closure plate or disk 47 which has the upper ends of the outer wall 28 and of the inner wall or core 26 connected thereto, while an annular ring 49 forms the lower closure for the filter member 17 and has the lower end of the outer wall 28 connected thereto, while the lower, unperforated end of the core 26 passes downwardly through the annular ring 49.

The filter member 13 is poised between an upper spring 48, between the inner surface of the domed top 19 and s the top surface of the top closure plate or disk 47, and a lower spring 51 which bears upwardly against the under surface of the annular closure ring 49 and which bears downwardly upon an annular plate or bearing ring 52, which is slidable over the lower cylinder part 73 of the filter core 26. The annular ring 52 in turn bears upon an annular gasket 53, which is of the same inner diameter as the inner diameter of the core 26, and on which the lower face of the core 26 seats. As to the outer diameter of the annular gasket 53, this diameter is of sufficient dimension that it can overextend and occlude the ports or holes 39 in the cage bottom or closure plate 54 In the form of the invention disclosed in FIG. 1, a spider 57 is shown, comprised of an annular ring or plate 56 of inner diameter to slide over the difiuser 14 and seat upon the upper face of the coupling 12 and upon the upper surface of the cleaning compartment closure plate 61 which is flush therewith. Equally, angularly spaced apart studs or fingers 58 upstand from the spider plate 56, and, as shown in FIG. 1, space the gasket 53 above the openings 39 in the cage bottom 54. A frusto-conical gasket 55 having a bore therethrough slightly greater in diameter than the outer diameter of the diffuser 14, is sealably slidable over the diffuser 14 to seat upon the upper surface of the spider plate 56.

Thus, in the relationship of structures shown in FIG.

openings 39 in the cage bottom 54 to keep them open,

as the upper spring 48, which is substantially stronger than the lower spring 51, urges the filter member 13 seated on the gasket 53.

Having described the filter 17, as disposed to be cleaned, the operation of the invention may be better understood, from this point, when the usage of filters and the necessity for cleaning them has been described. In service filters 17 are installed, as in automobiles, the threaded, central bore through the cage bottom 54 being threaded upon an externally threaded tubular member which extends from the engine block of a motor vehicle.

As thus disposed, the cage bottom 54 compresses a gasket therebelow, the gasket being in the shape of an annular ring, concentric about the tubular member and of some lesser outer diameter than the filter cage 50. This gasket seats about a recess in the engine block, concentric about the tubular member, and the soiled or contaminated lubricating oil passes into the recess within the engine block and then through the holes 39 in the cage bottom 54, as the pressure of the lubricating oil is sufficient to lift the gasket 53. As the engine block with gasket, tubular member, and recess are conventional, no drawing is shown of these features, which are not connected with the structures of the this invention.

The oil to be filtered passes through the holes 39, lifting the gasket 53, as aforesaid, and circulates within the cage 50 to pass inwardly through the perforated wall 28, and the impurities are impinged 0n the filtering material 27, as cellulose, while the oil passes on inwardly through the perforated core wall or cylinder 26 to pass downwardly through the aforesaid tubular member which extends from the engine block of the motor vehicle. Then the filtered oil is recirculated, in its filtered state, to the motor parts to be lubricated, and this process of circulation, filtering, and re-circulation continues, in the cycle as described.

Finally, when the gradual loading of the filtering material 27 with detritus and contamination results in a certain predetermined pressure differential between the lubricating pump pressure and the pressure at which the lubricating oil leaves the filter, at such point the lubricating oil is automatically by-passed from the filter, to pass directly back in re-circulation, in soiled state, through the engine.

As the filtering material 27 has the impurities, detritus, and contamination impinged thereon as the oil to be filtered passes therethrough in one direction, it is best that any cleaning fluid, solvent, or like substance which may be used to clean the filtering material 27 and to act upon the deposit thereon, should be circulated through the filter 17 in the opposite direction. This is accomplished, using apparatus to be hereinbelow described, in connection with a filter 17, in manner to be set forth, with the filter 17 and the apparatus comprising this invention first having been disposed as shown in FIG. 1, in the following manner:

An operator first slips the frusto-conical gasket 55 over a diffuser 14, the diffuser 14 being selected as to proper ize for use with the aforesaid filter, and the gasket 55 is then moved along the diffuser 14 to a predetermined longitudinal position. Next, with the compartment lid 22 raised, a disposition is reached in which the spider 57 seats upon the coupling 12, and cleaning compartment bottom 61, with the gasket 55 on top of the spider 57, as both spider and gasket are disposed as aforesaid around the diffuser 14, which has been threaded full up into the coupling threaded bore 16. Then the filter 17 is inserted into the compartment 11 in manner that the diff-user 14 extends within the core 26, and the spider fingers or studs 58 extend through the hole 39 in the filter closure plate or base 54.

Then the lid 22 is closed and the clamp 20 is threaded downwardly to bear upon the nut 18 on top of the dome 19, thus to urge the filter cage 50 downwardly, firmly, and sealably upon the frusto-conical gasket 55, while the lower end 73 of the spring biased filter element 13 bears upon the annular gasket 53, while the studs 58 raise this gasket peripherally.

The compressed air employed in the cleaning operation is supplied through a conduit 32 having therein a pressure regulating valve 31 and also a valve 33. The conduit 32 extends to a T 62 and upwardly through the central leg thereof into a pipe or pipe nipple 34 which has the lower end of a reducer bushing 37 connected to the upper end thereof. In turn, the upper end of the bushing 37 is connected into the lower leg of a T 35. A hollow venturi tube 36 has its open, lower end silver soldered to the top of the reducer 37 and extends upwardly through the T 35, and into a pipe or conduit 15, which has its lower end connected into the upper leg of the T 35, and which is selected to extend for a predetermined distance above the discharge end of the venturi tube 36, the upper end of the pipe or conduit 15 connecting into the lower end of the coupling 12.

A liquid tank or compartment 38 is provided adjacent the compartment 11 and may be connected thereto as by the gusset plate 63. A conduit 40 extends from the bottom of the tank 38 to the central branch or leg of the T 35, and such conduit 40 has therein a control valve 41.

A coupling 42 connects into the top of the tank 38 and has a valve 64 connected to the top thereof from which a conduit 65 leads to a cleaning fluid reservoir or bulk supply tank, not shown. Also, a pressure equalizing line or conduit 43 extends the compressed air line 32 from the T 62 to be connected into a coupling 44 into the top of the tank 38.

After a filter 17 has been clamped into position and prior to operation the pressure regulating valve 31 has been set at desired pressure, and a capacity pot, not shown, upstream of the valve 31, has been regulated as to the volume of compressed air that can be delivered for any desired operation. The operation of cleaning is then started by opening the valves 33 and 41. The compressed air then passes through the conduit 32 and upwardly through the tube 36, which serves as a jet nozzle to create a venturi tube effect.

The passage of the compressed air upwardly through the orifice or discharge port of the tube 36 thus creates a venturi effect which draws the cleaning fluid, such as a non-toxic, relatively non-inflammable hydro-carbon compound, as Varsol, from the conduit 40 to pass upwardly around the tube 36, and upwardly through the pipe 15, in admixture with the compressed air from the tube or nozzle 36. The mixture thus passes upwardly through the coupling 12 and into the diffuser 14 and out through the perforations therein and through the perforate filter core 26 to pass through the filter material 27, which may be a cellulose product, as Celotex, or a plastic, as fiber glass, as aforesaid.

The cleaning admixture, laden with deposit removed from the filtering material 27, passes outwardly through the perforate wall 28 and downwardly through the holes 39 in the cage bottom 54 to pass out through the drain coupling having a valve 46 connected thereto from which extends a drain conduit 60. With the valve 46 open the contaminated cleaning fluid may be drawn off through the conduit 60 into a container, or allowed to discharge, as into a fullers earth pit for recovery, or as into a disposal means.

After a filter 17 is cleaned, it is only necessary to unthread the clamp 20, raise the lid 22, and lift the cleaned filter 17 from the compartment 11. Then the diffuser 14 can be unthreaded from the coupling 12, and removed, along with the frusto-conical gasket and spider 57, in case a different size filter is next to be cleaned, or all may be left in place in case a filter of the same size is next to be cleaned.

As shown in FIG. 2, the gasket 55 shown in FIG. 1 is omitted, and in this case a diffuser 14a is shown having an externally threaded sleeve 66 affixed thereon, also a hex nut 67 is connected to the diffuser 14a below the sleeve 66 to support thereon an annular ring or platform plate 68 which extends around the diffuser 14a just below the lower end of the sleeve 66. Thus, the annular plate 68 and nut 67 therebelow comprise together a platform nut 70 to support the spider 57 on the upper surface of the platform plate 68. As in the case of the diffuser 14 shown in FIG. 1, the lower end of the diffuser 14a is threadable into the upper end of the coupling 12. The studs 58 are of height to stand above the top of the threaded sleeve 66, so that in the relatively uppermost position of adjustment, of the filter 17, with the filter bottom threads 69 engaged with the uppermost threads of the sleeve 66, the studs 58 still stand high enough above the upper surface of the filter bottom 54 that they lift the gasket 53 in ample degree to let the contaminated cleaning fluid escape through the openings 39.

Then, as the filter bottom threads 69 are threaded downwardly on the diffuser sleeve 66, the studs 58 stand relatively higher and higher above the filter bottom 54, and thus push the gasket 53 farther and farther above, and away from, the filter bottom 54, to provide freer escape fluid access to the escape holes or ports 39.

Obviously there can be filters which may have valved openings to serve as inlets when the filter is in service on an automobile and such openings may not be accessible in manner that the valve element, as a gasket, cannot be lifted by the insertion of some lifting means through the filter cage bottom. In such cases, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an outlet opening 72 may be drilled through the filter cage wall 50a just above the cage bottom 54a and such will serve as an outlet for the deposit laden cleaning fluid as the filter is cleaned. Then, the opening 72 may be closed so that the filter may be put back in service, '-by providing a bolt 73 with head 74 which can be of lesser diameter than the opening 72, and a pliable washer 75a provided, as of lead, and of diameter to fit around the opening 72 on the inside of the filter cage 50a. Also, a similarly constructed washer 75b may be providedthrough which the bolt 73 extends outwardly of the cage 50a, the bolt 73 extending further outwardly through a special washer 76 with arcuate inner surface 76a concentric with the surface of the cage 50, the bolt outer end having a nut 77 threaded onto its outer end. Thus, when the nut 77 is threaded up on the bolt 73, the washers 75a, 75b are deformed firmly and positively to close the opening 72 against leakage. Also the nut and bolt 77, 73 may be drilled so that a cotter pin 78 may be inserted therethrough to restrain the nut 77 from being unthreaded and lost in service.

Filters of various types may be cleaned -by the inventions hereinabove described, and in many cases the filters which are cleaned may not be designed to have the escape holes from the filter bottoms covered by gaskets, as the gasket 53 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As regards these filters shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when they are in service in an automobile, their respective gaskets 53 carry out the functions of a flapper valve or check valve element.

In many cases the filters to be cleaned do not have gaskets with valve element functions of this nature to control the openings 39, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, which serve as inlets for the oil when a filter is in service in an automobile. Thus, it is not necessary to provide a means to open these openings when a filter without a gasket of the type described is to be cleaned, with cleaning fluid circulated in reverse direction to direction of lubricating oil flow when the filter is in service. Thus, in order to dispose such filters to be cleaned it is not necessary to use the spider 57 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, or the platform nut 70 shown in FIG. 2, and the parallel phantom lines 71 in FIG. 2 indicate a combination in which the spider 57 is omitted, while the platform nut 70 on the diffuser 14a would thus serve no purpose.

The invention may be made in a variety of modifications and embodiments and practiced with a variety of method steps and procedures, all within the general concept of the broader objects and within the main spirit of the invention. For instance, as aforesaid, when there is no check valve means to occlude openings in the bottom of the filter cage it is only necessary to clamp the filter sealably upon a gasket, as the gasket. 55 shown in FIG. 1, or to thread the filter bottom on the diffuser when a diffuser of the type shown in FIG. 2 is employed. Also, as aforesaid, in case of a filter having valve covered serv ice circulation inlets which are inaccessible to be opened from the bottom, an openingmay be made therein to serve as cleaning fluid outlet, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the opening being closed before the cleaned filter is returned to service.

As may be derived from a consideration of FIGS. 1 and 2, a filter to be cleaned comprises a perforate core and an annular mass of filtering material therearound, and an outer perforate cylinder or retaining member which holds the filter material in form and which is perforate to permit the cleaning material to be passed outwardly therethrough. However, filters: to be cleaned may be mad-e in various other ways. For instance, the outer forming member may also be comprised of a filtering material as in the case of the number of commercially prominent filters now on the market which do not provide a filtering material between the core and the outer forming member but rather the outer forming member itself comprises of the filtering means and is in the shape of an accordion, so that in service in an automobile matter to be filtered out and deposited, in part impinges on the outer surface of the accordion shaped filtering means, while another part, in the process of passing through the porosities thereof, is embedded therein.

Various features and accessories may be included as improvements or to serve special conditions. For instance, in colder climates or in cold seasons, the cleaning fluid may be pre-heated before delivery through the conduit 65 into the tank or reservoir 38.

Also, Where special speed in operation is desired filters of the type that may be clamped, as shown in FIG. 1, may be clamped into position by the downward movement of a piston from a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, the pressure developed being in excess of any opposing pressure of the entering cleaning fluid acting against the underside of the filter top. Also, as another feature to obtain speed of operation, a spacer may be interposed between the top of a filter to be cleaned and the clamp means, including a guide sleeve lowermost to cover say the upper third of the filter cage. The clamp means thus needs to be moved a much shorter distance in order to effectively clamp the filter to be cleaned.

Referring now to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. -8, inclusive, a filter cleaner 80 is shown in FIG. 1 which includes a cleaning compartment 81 and a tank, reservoir or cleansing liquid compartment 82 with compressed air being supplied through a conduit 83a having a regular valve 83 and a valve 84 to a T 85 where the compressed air supply splits, with one passage or conduit 86 extending upwardly to pass compressed air into the top 87 of the reservoir or tank 81. A filler plug or breather fitting 91 is also shOWn provided in the top 87. From the T 85 another compressed air conduit 88 extends to a T 89 which is joined by the liquid discharge line 90 from the lower part of the tank 81, the conduit 90 being closed or opened by the valve 92. From the T 89 a conduit 93, designed to carry compressed air and cleanin-g liquid conjointly, extends to a coupling 94 just exterior to the funnel, discharge or lower member 95 of the cleaning compartment 81.

A special elbow 96, has an externally threaded outer or lower end which connects into the coupling 94, and an internally threaded inner or upper end into which is threaded the lower end of a venturi nozzle 97. The elbow 96, in the course of pipe fitting assembly, is passed through the side or conical wall of the discharge member 95 with its upper leg to extend axially upwardly centrally within the cleaning compartment 81. The venturi nozzle 97 has the conventional tapered bore 98 required for a venturi, and in this case the large diameter of the bore is upwardly with the smaller, or venturi diameter downwardly.

The upper end of the venturi nozzle 97 is externally threaded into the internally threaded lower end of a coupling 99 which has the externally threaded lower end of a diffuser 100 threaded into its upper end. A sleeve 101 is slidable upon the lower part of the diffuser 100, and a flange 102 on the upper end of the sleeve 101 with a gasket thereon, not shown, supports a filter 103 to be cleaned. Setscrews 104 pass through the sleeve 101 to be set upon against the diffuser 100. thus to dispose a filter 103, of a size of filters to be cleaned, in relative elevation upon the diffuser 100.

The diffuser 100 is perforated by perforations 105 through the wall thereof throughout its lower central, central, and upper central portions, while the upper end is a solid metal part 106 that is turned down to provide a shoulder, with the upper end 109 thereof, above the shoulder, being externally threaded to receive a washer 107 thereover to rest on the shoulder, or upon a gasket, not shown, upon the shoulder. Then, also, a nut 108 is threadable upon the upper end 109, thus to confine or restrain any filter 103 that may be disposed, as shown in FIG. 6, around the diffuser 100 and to rest upon the flange 102.

The material 116 of the filter, as cellulose, being selected to have impurities impinged thereon is cleaned by the circulation of the cleaning fluid 117 in reverse direction, but through the same perforations as the oil has followed that has left the impurities. In detail the core 111a of the doughnut or annular shaped filter case 111 is perforated by perforations 110a. And outwardly, the outer cylinder or wall 11lb must also have perforations 110b therethrough, while the annular, lower plate 111c which seats on the gasketed flange 102 is continuous or unperforated. Also, the upper, annular plate 111d on which seats the under gasketed washer 107 is continuous and unperforated. In any case, perforations are provided in ample degree to give path to the back cleaning liquid 117.

A cover 112 provides the upper member which cooperates with the lower member or discharge spout which covers over the cleansing operation and deflects back any outwardly or upwardly directed soiled cleansing liquid which has first been passed through the filter, so that the soiled fluid falls downwardly to pass through the funnel or frusto-conical part 95a of the discharge member 95, thus to fall through the smaller diameter part 95b for final disposition.

The cover 112 has a base or top plate 112a uppermost, to close a cylinder 113 comprising the greater wall portion thereof, while the lower end, or the inverted open end of the cover 112, terminates in a frusto-conical part 114 which seats within the top portion of the discharge part 950.

As shown in FIG. 5, the apparatus 81, 82 is supported by a support, tank or sump 115, into which the soiled cleaning fluid is discharged for further and final disposal. Such support may not be considered a part of the invention, but is shown only as indicative of a mounting that disposes the apparatus for eflicient access and usage.

The filter cleaner structure hereinabove described with relation to FIGS. 58, inclusive, has particular application to the cartridge type of filter, sold to the trade as nondisposable or designed to be kept and cleaned. However, such filter cleaner can be adapted to clean a filter of the throwaway type, as shown, for instance, in FIG. 2, simply by taking out the diffuser shown in FIGS. 58, inclusive, and threading into the coupling 99, the diffuser 14 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In effect the invention is not limited to any particular embodiment or modifications, as shown in the drawings, but other modifications, embodiments and improvement steps are considered as well, as such may fall within the broad spirit of the invention, and within the broad scope of interpretation claimed for, and merited by, the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A filter cleaner for cleaning a filter of the cartridge type having perforate concentric outer wall and core with annular top and bottom closures, with filtering material within the filter through which service oil has flowed from outwardly to the core and downwardly therethrough, said filter cleaner also including a discharge member. a conduit supported thereby including a jet nozzle with venturi opening lowermost and a diffuser above said nozzle to extend within, and to present a perforate section within, said core, and providing a shoulder and a turned down threaded end thereabove, said filter cleaner also providing an upwardly flanged sleeve slidably positionable upon said diffuser below said perforated section and to support a filter upon said flange, and a nut threadable upon said upper, threaded end, and including a washer downwardly to restrain said filter, said filter cleaner also including externally of said discharge member a cleaning liquid tank and means to supply compressed air conjointly to said tank and together with liquid through said supported conduit and said venturi opening, and up said difluser and out through the filter material to fall back through said discharge member, said filter cleaner including a cover positionable over said filter to seat within said discharge member.

2. A filter cleaner as claimed in claim 1 which includes a gasket under said washer and a gasket upon said flange.

3. A filter cleaner as claimed in claim 1 in which said discharge member comprises a funnel with large diameter upwardly to receive said cover therein.

4. A filter cleaner as claimed in claim 1 in which said sleeve is slidably positionable by setscrews upon said diffuser to provide a floating bottom for said filter.

5. A filter cleaner as claimed in claim 1 in which said jet nozzle and said diffuser are connected by a coupling adapted alternately to receive the diffuser for throwaway type filters.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS ROBERT L. BLEUTGE, Primary Examiner. 

